On March 14, 1954, future Hall of Famer Hank Aaron makes his first spring training start for the Milwaukee Braves. Aaron, taking advantage of an injury suffered by starting outfielder Bobby Thomson, he raps out three hits, including a home run.in an exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox. Aaron will eventually start for the Braves…
1954 – Milwaukee Braves outfielder Bobby Thomson breaks his ankle while sliding into a base during a spring training game. The 1951 National League playoff hero is replaced by a promising prospect named Hank Aaron. Thomson will be out until July 14th.
Bradenton, FL spring training 1954 Hank Aaron, Charlie White and Billy Bruton enjoyed the cooking and hospitality of Lulu Mae Gibson, because they were not allowed to stay with their teammates at the Braves players hotel!!
February 6, 1954 – Jim Wilson, right-handed pitcher whose 1953 record was an unspectacular 4-9, signed his 1954 contract, the 20th Brave to do so. Four months later on June 12, 1954 Wilson became the first Milwaukee Brave to hurl a no-hitter.
In a six-player trade, the Braves deal a pair of southpaws, Johnny Antonelli and Don Liddle, catcher Ebba St. Claire as well as shortstop Billy Klaus to the Giants in exchange for playoff hero Bobby Thomson and backstop Sammy Calderone. Milwaukee’s new outfielder will break his ankle in an exhibition game and will appear in only 43 games, while Johnny Antonelli posts a 21-7 record, leading the league with an ERA of 2.30 for his new team in New York.
January 18, 1954 – Eddie Mathews expressed dissatisfaction with the Braves’ contract offer for 1954. “I may even hold out,” he said, but he said it with a laugh. The 22-year-old slugger, who led the majors in home runs in 1953, had reportedly earned $12,000 last year. He also said he might give…
1953 – The Pittsburgh Pirates send flashy 2B Danny O’Connell to the Milwaukee Braves for 3B Sid Gordon, OF Sam Jethroe, P Max Surkont, and four minor league pitchers. Pittsburgh also get $100,000 from the Braves. This is the only six-for-one trade in major league history and will be surpassed only by the seven-for-one deal that will send Vida Blue from the Oakland A’s to the SF Giants in 1978.
December 8, 1953 – Fredric “Shorty” Mendelson, manager of County Stadium, resigned to take over active management of a beer distributing agency in Janesville that he and Charlie Grimm recently bought
November 30, 1953 – At the minor league meeting in Atlanta, Braves right-hander Vern Bickford officially asked the Braves to sell or trade him. He felt he was not getting enough starts. He probably did not mention his 5.28 earned run average in 1953. (I know it’s a Boston uniform, but I love this…
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